First look at Ian McKellen as Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’: set video confirms the legendary wizard’s return

Fans of “Lord of the Rings” finally have their first look at Ian McKellen as Gandalf in the highly anticipated “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.” The “Tolkien Universe” account on X shared a behind-the-scenes video from filming on September 17, showing 87-year-old McKellen fully dressed as the legendary wizard — with the long grey beard and hair, after makeup was done.

The footage confirms that filming is underway and that the actor has fully stepped into his iconic role. For McKellen, this is his first return to the big screen as Gandalf in more than a decade: he first played the wizard in “The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001), continuing in “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King,” as well as “The Hobbit” trilogy (2012–2014).

The film is directed by Andy Serkis, who also returns to his famous role as Gollum/Smeagol. Alongside them return Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins and Lee Pace as Thranduil, while new names join the cast: Jamie Dornan as Strider (the new version of Aragorn), Leo Woodall as Halvard and Kate Winslet as Marigol.

The screenplay is signed by Arty Papageorgiou, Phoebe Gittins, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is expected in cinemas on December 17, 2027, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Source: ComingSoon.net